Career Summary

Biography

Alison is a Senior Research Officer with the Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology (CHeRP, the Behavioural Research Unit of the Cancer Council NSW). She has been involved in behavioural research in relation to cancer since 2002. Alison assists in the co-ordination and implementation of research projects and the writing of scientific reports and papers.

Research ExpertiseAlison is currently working on several research projects in the area of cancer survivorship. The key project is the Cancer Survival Study, a longitudinal study following over 1400 cancer survivors until 5 years post-diagnosis. The Cancer Survival Study explores the well-being of cancer survivors across a variety of outcomes including physical and emotional health, positive growth, work-related and employment issues, lifestyle issues, relationships and social support and coping styles. Alison is interested in the moderators of well-being, including coping styles, and in 2008 completed her Research Masters degree exploring coping in two samples of cancer patients who are 6 months and 5 years post-diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Population-based registries are increasingly used to recruit patient samples for research, however,Â¿they have several limitations including low consent and participat... [more]

BACKGROUND: Population-based registries are increasingly used to recruit patient samples for research, however,Â¿they have several limitations including low consent and participation rates, and potential selection bias. To improve access to samples for research, the utility of a new model of recruitment termed the 'Consumer Register', that allows for direct patient recruitment from hospitals, was examined. This paper reports: (i) consent rates onto the register; (ii) preferred methods and frequency of contact; and (iii) the feasibility of establishing the register, including: (a) cost per person recruited to the register; (b) the differential cost and consent rates of volunteer versus paid data collectors; and (c) participant completion rates. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five outpatient clinics in Australia. Patients were approached by volunteers or paid data collectors and asked to complete a touch-screen electronic survey. Consenting individuals were asked to indicate their willingness and preferences for enrolment onto a research register. Descriptive statistics were used to examine patient preferences and linear regression used to model the success of volunteer versus paid data collectors. The opportunity and financial costs of establishing the register were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1947 patients (80.6Â¿%) consented to complete the survey, of which, 1486 (76.3Â¿%) completed the questionnaire. Of the completers, the majority (69.4Â¿%, or 1032 participants) were willing to be listed on the register and preferred to be contacted by email (50.3Â¿%). Almost 39Â¿% of completersÂ¿were willing to be contacted three or more times in a 12Â¿month period. The annual opportunity cost of resources consumed by the register was valued at $37,187, giving an opportunity cost per person recruited to the register of $36. After amortising fixed costs, the annual financial outlay was $23,004 or $22 per person recruited to the register. Use of volunteer data collectors contributed to an annual saving of $14,183, however paid data collectors achieved significantly higher consent rates. Successful enrolment onto the register was completed for 42 % of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: A Consumer Register is a promising and feasible alternative to population-based registries, with the majority of participants willing to be contacted multiple times via low-resource methods such as email. There is an effectiveness/cost trade off in the use of paid versus volunteer data collectors.

Prevention in the oncology setting has traditionally focused on the progression of cancer, recurrence and development of new cancers. Increasingly, the focus has moved to a more h... [more]

Prevention in the oncology setting has traditionally focused on the progression of cancer, recurrence and development of new cancers. Increasingly, the focus has moved to a more holistic view of prevention that pursues prevention of suffering and maintaining quality of life. The cancer treatment team has the opportunity to play an active role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles for patients, and the relatives for whom the patient's cancer conveys risk. Assisting patients to adhere to 'non-cancer' care is important for their mortality and morbidity. Given patient's reluctance to disclose physical and emotional side-effects they may be experiencing, there is a need for health providers to regularly initiate discussions with their patients about their needs. Similarly, an oncology service that actively seeks to understand patient preferences will be better equipped to provide individualised care. A systems-minded approach to prevention may ensure that cancer care is organised to anticipate and to prevent of poor quality care. As the cancer treatment team will continue to play a more complex role in prevention, they must be supported by organisational factors that facilitate evidence-based practice.